Every new NBA season begins with media day. It’s when players can brag about how much muscle they’ve built over the offseason, when coaches and executives set expectations, and when everyone involved has a little fun as the new year begins.
Media Day has given us so many great moments over the years. Who could forget that Kawhi Leonards Roboterlachen during his induction with the Raptors? It’s often our first look at players in their new kits, which always looks incredibly strange – as Tony Parker’s brief Hornets era taught us. On media day, we also learned for the first time that Zion Williamson was injured prior to last season. He wouldn’t play all year.
Here are the best and worst moments from NBA Media Day opening the 2022-2023 season.
Kevin Durant says he has nothing to prove to Nets fans
Kevin Durant on whether he will make another trade request if the Nets struggle…
“I don’t feel like I have to prove anything to Net fans after 3 years. I am determined to move forward with this team. If in doubt, that’s up to you.”
– Matt Brooks (@MattBrooksNBA) 26. September 2022
Meanwhile, Durant’s boss said he wasn’t his boss.
Nets GM Sean Marks on Kevin Durant: “First of all, I’m not his boss. We are partners. If he wanted out and still wanted out, he wouldn’t be here.”
– Vincent Goodwill (@VinceGoodwill) 26. September 2022
Everything with the nets is, as always, extraordinarily normal.
Kyrie Irving sums up the Nets’ offseason in one word
Kyrie Irving on the Nets summer: “It was a clusterfuck.”
I agree.
— Alex Schiffer (@Alex__Schiffer) 26. September 2022
Irving also spoke about his decision not to get vaccinated last season and how it affected his contract negotiations last summer. He is now on an expiring contract with the Nets, having originally sought a long-term maximum extension.
“I didn’t understand how unvaccinated has become a stigma in my career that I don’t want to play, or that I’m willing to give up everything to be a voice for the voiceless.”
-Kyrie Irving pic.twitter.com/yE6E0GU03N
— Networks Videos (@SNYNets) 26. September 2022
Kyrie Irving: “I gave up 4 years, 100-something million to not get vaccinated.”
– Matt Brooks (@MattBrooksNBA) 26. September 2022
Deandre Ayton sounds unhappy to be back in Phoenix
The Suns refused to give Ayton a Max contract prior to last season, letting him linger in the free-agent market until he received an offer from the Pacers that Phoenix matched. Phoenix’s spirits are sinking fast.
Jimmy Butler rocks dreadlocks ‘to drive the internet crazy’
The Miami Heat star has been spotted sporting a new hairstyle throughout the offseason, and he’s sticking with it — at least for now. His priorities are clearly in the right place when it comes to why he made the move.
Butler also called PJ Tucker a traitor for his decision to sign with the Philadelphia 76ers during the offseason.
James Harden says he’s lost “100 pounds”.
James Harden says (with a grin) that he’s “lost 100 pounds. Tweet that.”
— Kyle Neubeck (@KyleNeubeck) 26. September 2022
Celtics players, like everyone else, found out about the Ime Udoka scandal via Twitter
As Tatum was told by Udoka: “Fuck Twitter, like everyone else.”#Celts
– Gary Washburn (@GwashburnGlobe) 26. September 2022
Jaylen Brown on Udoka’s suspension: “I wish we had more details. For all we know, it’s difficult to make a decision about whether or not it’s consensual in the workplace, which we know has happened before in the workplace. There’s more to it than what meets the eye.”
– Jared Weiss (@JaredWeissNBA) 26. September 2022
Meanwhile, Marcus Smart said this…
Zion Williamson looks jacked and ready to go
Anthony Edwards apologized for homophobic slurs on social media
Anthony Edwards has repeatedly apologized for his comments. Says he’s willing to put in the work to show he’s repentant and learning from the situation
– Jon Krawczynski (@JonKrawczynski) 26. September 2022
Edwards: “I learned that you have to think before you speak and things can be taken away on the fly. Words hurt people and I just need to get better.”
– Jon Krawczynski (@JonKrawczynski) 26. September 2022
Ben Simmons had the best answer as to how many three-pointers he will take this season
How many 3s does Ben Simmons need this season?
“Shit, who knows,” he said.
— Mike Vorkunov (@MikeVorkunov) 26. September 2022
Gregg Popovich knows not to back Spurs
“I probably shouldn’t say that,” says Gregg Popovich.
He leans into the microphone.
“Nobody here…”
Pause.
“…should go to Vegas and bet on this team to win the championship.”
— Mike Finger (@mikefinger) 26. September 2022
Kawhi Leonard laughed again
The sequel is never as good as the original, but it’s still fun.
Udonis Haslem dances before Season 20
Christian Wood comes in for the Mavs
Christian Wood will primarily be a sixth man for the Mavs, says Jason Kidd. “I don’t need him as ‘The Microwave.’ I just need him as C. Wood.”
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) 26. September 2022
Nikola Jokic wants to be the “Tim Duncan of the Nuggets”.
Nikola Jokic: “I want to be the Tim Duncan of the Denver Nuggets, but I have to win a few championships to be him.”
— Harrison Wind (@HarrisonWind) 26. September 2022
Patrick Beverley and Russell Westbrook are apparently now friends
Patrick Beverley told ESPN that Russell Westbrook has been his “best friend” on the team since joining the Lakers this summer. Says they both come to work out before 7am and spend time together at the gym
– Dave McMenamin (@mcten) 26. September 2022
In the meantime, Wood said he was hearing this for the first time.
OG Anunoby is now OG Anunoby
We will update this story as it develops.
